I enjoyed this book, a bit of magic set in current times. Dolls that can be empowered by feelings so that when you hold them you can experience the emotions. A dynasty of doll makers that hold their secrets close and a community of people all related. A really good idea for a book.

The setting for The Thief on the Winged Horse is Paxton's Eyot, a fictional river island in Oxford. Here sits a small, rather insulated community, organised around a remarkable business: Kendricks Workshop, which makes magical dolls. Only descendants of the founders, four sisters, are permitted to work there. The beginning of the story sees the arrival of a stranger, Larkin, who is determined to secure a job at Kendricks.

The plot hinges on the theft of an extremely valuable doll from the home of Conrad Kendrick, the current owner of the workshop. Suspicion falls on Briar, his embittered brother. Briar's daughter Persephone is one of our protagonists, as is Conrad's scheming housekeeper Hedwig. It turns out that, despite the founders of all being women, the modern-day workshop only allows men to use magic, or 'lay enchantments'; Persephone is determined to change this. Hedwig is more interested in making money, by any means. Larkin's motives are obscure, but he develops a sweet relationship with Persephone. On top of all this, some of the eyot's residents still believe in 'fae folk' and blame the theft on the local legend of 'the Thief'.

It's difficult to know exactly what to care about here. It feels as though Mascarenhas wants us to think the idea of women using magic is central to the story, yet we rarely get a sense of what this means to them. The main female characters are Persephone, whose relationship with Larkin is prioritised within the narrative; Hedwig, who is awful; and Mrs Mayhew (Hedwig's mother), who is also awful – and neither of the latter two are dollmakers, nor do they wish to be. The book never really shows that being allowed to lay enchantments is particularly important to anyone except Persephone, who, it seems clear, has more than enough talent to make it on her own, and would probably be better off away from the cloistered atmosphere of the eyot. Consequently, the ending feels very downbeat and muted.

The simplistic characterisation really wears thin, too. Hedwig, for example, is so one-note she's virtually impossible to like: the fact that she's conniving and manipulative is her defining trait, which wouldn't necessarily be a problem, except that there appears to be literally nothing else to her personality.

There were things I really liked about The Thief on the Winged Horse, and those things kept me reading. Persephone and Larkin's relationship is delightful and authentic and the most emotionally compelling thing in the book. The strangeness of the Kendricks community existing within the modern world worked quite well for me, giving the story a fantastical, fairytale flavour. Overall, though, it's a little unsatisfying, and I didn't have anywhere near as much fun as I did reading the author's debut, The Psychology of Time Travel.

'A dazzling mixture of crime, romance, magic and myth.' 

Okay! So do I get the one and only niggle out of the way first, or do I slip it in unnoticed amongst all the many genuinely good aspects of this storyline and writing? No, I need to say it out loud and then move on and not revisit it! You therefore need to read my review in its entirety to ascertain my true feelings about the book.

The Thief On The Winged Horse, it transpires after my reading just a few pages, is a contemporary fantasy story.  However, as I first began reading, the style of dialogue and narrative, and the initial perception I formed of the characters, would have quite firmly placed it as a work of historical fantasy fiction. Based on the early background story building and description of the physical eyot itself, together with the introduction of the families who lived there, I have to be totally honest and say that is also where I still think the book firmly belongs and where the slightly gothic undertones it engenders, would have made more impact from my perspective, as I found it quite difficult to assimilate those early beliefs with the modern day actualities as they were introduced into the narrative.

All that said, I enjoyed author's fluid style of writing, rich in detail, with some beautifully descriptive narrative and dialogue, which really drew me into the story and engaged me with the individual characters, combined with a slow building plot which had more twists and turns than enough. Kate has created a book which has some good structure to it, with meaningful opening and closing pages and a multi-layered, engaging and interesting, although slightly disconcertingly quirky storyline, which quite honestly freaked me out on a couple of occasions, but that is because of my own personal phobia about certain kinds of dolls!

First, that slightly scary, original and intriguing storyline, which features hexed dolls, made in a variety of materials, each having individually installed 'enchantments' that can engender unique and often troubling feelings in their owner. Definitely made for an adult market, which it even more eerily transpired, was predominantly male. Made even more disconcerting when I discovered that the craftsmanship which went into creating the individual dolls and the secret of laying on the hex, was also a male led domain. However the company itself had an all female history, as it had originated as the brainchild of the four Kendrick sisters. Somewhere along the way, their male heirs had purloined and dominated the rights to become the 'sorcerer's' of the business, leaving their womenfolk to create and furnish the doll's houses and serve in the shop. The scene setting throughout the book is really well described, making it a very visual and immersive journey, which is multi-layered and complex.

It would also seem that the entire population of the eyot were descendants of the original Kendrick sisters, with new blood being introduced on a regular (but not too regular!) basis, through marriage. I can recall no mention to speak of about any children and if there were, they were definitely of the 'seen and not heard' variety. It is unclear just how the shift in the balance of power from a female dominated business, to that of almost total male superiority came about, with the business for the purposes of the story, being currently administered, but not actively worked in, by Conrad, who inherited the entire estate at the expense of his twin brother, Briar. Therefore, there is no love lost between the siblings, although both are carefully and subliminally manipulated by the respective females in their lives, Conrad's companion, Hedwig and Briar's daughter, Persephone, who are also not natural allies, but have a common goal and destination to aim for, with a combined strength and determination to get what they want.

In this slightly uncomfortable environment, which I found disturbingly intrusive and stifling, even in my third party reading, business secrets are jealously guarded against outsiders and a strong belief prevails about 'the thief on the winged horse', who regularly steals things and demands payment and gifts in exchange for their return! Kate masterfully crafts and creates a great sense of atmosphere about the entire island, which would make you frightened to step out of line and dreading the consequences if you were caught. There is no lightness or joviality to life on the eyot, where suspicion is an almost default 'enchantment' amongst this strange extended family concern, who avidly guard their way of life.

They do say however, that 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned' and this is also very much a story of revenge, retribution and the power taken by two of the female family members to fight back against the male domination, against all the odds; taking back piece by piece, some levelling out, if not control, of the Kendrick empire, by whatever means and feminine wiles necessary. Risking everything, Hedwig and Persephone somehow manage to rally some of the other women to stand up to their menfolk, be counted and have their voices heard, thus redressing the balance and hoping to drag the name of Kendrick into the 21st Century.

Whilst all of the main protagonists are very powerfully drawn and developed, with a genuine depth of character; none of them are really quite what they seem, all being most dislikeable and disagreeable, with their thinly veiled hidden agendas and motives, which are very cleverly woven into the plot, one on top of the other, so that I was never exactly sure who was fooling who, and which one of the suspects was in cahoots with the other at any given point in time. Such was the nature of their various and nefarious crimes, including industrial espionage, blackmail and theft and those just for starters and the tip of the iceberg, they were switching allegiances and plotting one against the other, almost constantly, making none of them easy to connect or empathise with, although the instant interactions between them were very compelling and addictive.  Long held secrets bubble to the surface, which affect the characters of Hedwig and Persephone the most, revealing their vulnerabilities, and their individual desperate searches for a sense of place and belonging, whilst at the same time bringing their individual strengths to the fore,  with a uniquely feminine recognition and intuition, that they needed to collaborate together to achieve their common objectives.

This powerful, mature and masterfully written story, certainly took me on a journey well outside of my usual comfort zone, although with its dark undertones, male dominated and toxic relationships, I'm not sure whether I was in a happy place or not. A very unusual, almost magical and immersive storyline, but the thought of all those spooky dolls out there, makes me think that I will never quite look at Oxford in the same way again!

Have not had a chance to read this yet, but will keep it on my list for a rainy day! Appreciate being offered the reading copy!

An intriguing contemporary fantasy, I loved the atmosphere and writing despite finding it a little slow at times. 

It managed to remain fairly unpredictable to me, and whilst I appreciated this, I guess I had certain expectations that were not quite met and I felt like the story lacked a bit of a punch. It was fully modern, and I think I wanted the novel to delve into the past and history of the place and characters more. Also, the fantasy aspect felt more like magical realism, there was magic and a touch of faery, but part of me wanted more, even though that would have changed the whole tone and subtleties of the novel.

I'd definitely read other books by Kate Mascarenhas. 

(ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley)

I really loved Kate Mascarenhas's previous book The Psychology of Time Travel. The way she crafted complex and very distinct characters and narrative was something that I took away as a key part of her writing. As a result I was very excited to read her next offering.

The Kendrick family have been making world-famous dolls since the early 1800s. But their dolls aren't coveted for the craftmanship alone. Each one has a specific emotion laid on it by its creator. A magic that can make you feel bucolic bliss or consuming paranoia at a single touch.
But then, one night, the family's most valuable doll is stolen. Only someone with knowledge of magic could have taken her. Only a Kendrick could have committed this crime...

Much like Mascarenhas's debut, The Thief on the Winged Horse has a strong feminist viewpoint. While the Kendrick business was set up by three sisters, over time it was quickly taken over by male descendants and the women were excluded and demoted to designing the non-magical elements of their products. Only men became Sorcerers.

I found it interesting that most of the purchasers and collectors of the dolls were male. Possibly this was a comment on modern-day masculinity meaning that many men don't allow themselves to feel strong emotions – particularly "feminine" ones – organically.

This is a "whodunnit" story. There is a scene in particular, after the theft of the most prized doll, where the entire community and their guests are held on the eyot – the small river island on which the Kendricks and their descendants have lived for generations – while the police question them, which felt like an homage to Agatha Christie and other classics in the crime and mystery genre.

There are three main POVs within the book – Larkin, the newcomer to the eyot who holds a previously unknown claim of Kendrick heritage; Hedwig, who is daughter of the tavern's landlady and the housekeeper of the head of the business, Conrad; and Persephone, daughter of Briar, Conrad's alcoholic twin brother, who dreams of becoming a sorcerer despite her gender blocking her career path.

Each one of these characters are fully-formed, complex, and distinct. Each is very interesting to read, and their flaws in particular are unwrapped throughout the story, leaving the reader feeling unsure who exactly they are (or are supposed to be) rooting for, especially when conflicts occur between them. Through the different perspectives, the reader tends to learn of things just before the other characters do, leaving plenty of mystery to remain engaged with.

Just as in The Psychology of Time Travel, there is LGBTQ representation in this book. It's not a driving force for the plot, and its mention happens mostly in passing, but it is there and is from key characters. I also personally read at least one of the main characters as neurodivergent, however this isn't explicitly explored within the story.

Immediately within the first chapter, I was drawing comparisons between this book and Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield. Despite being set in totally different eras, each book is about a small insular community, set on the River Thames in Oxford. Parallels extend beyond that, to the magical surrealism that exists while otherwise set in the real world, and to narrative devices including the use of a local tavern as a key setting. The books also share a similar feeling of fairytale-like whimsy. I'll say now that I was a big fan of Once Upon A River, and as a result recommend The Thief on the Winged Horse to anyone else who enjoyed it.

My only main critique was that the pacing was a bit off, which was particularly noticeable in one section towards the end of the book where it speeds up so much as to disorientate.

Other than that I really enjoyed this book though, and Kate Mascarenhas has cemented herself on my list of authors whose future work I will actively seek out.

Thank you to Net Galley for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.

The Thief On The Winged Horse was a beautifully written story set in modern times but with speculative fabulism mixed with folklore and some form of magic system that is never truly explained - something I liked. I love it when things aren’t fully explained as it keeps some mystery and gets you thinking of theories long after you’ve closed the book. 

We follow three main characters;

Persephone - a plus sized, grumpy and tired woman who wants the family company to be more inclusive. I really enjoyed her POV simply because although she lived with her alcoholic father and felt pressure by everyone else in the family to look after him, she never wallowed or felt she needed sympathy for it. She was a tough character that took everything on the chin and then looked it in the eye, saying”Is that all you’ve got?”

Hedwig - a young woman with her head on straight, conniving, charming, out for her self only and I am still not sure what her true feelings were towards other characters such as Persephone at the end of the story. Whilst I liked Hedwig, I never fully believed a word she said to other characters. She’s like one of those acquaintances that you hold at arm’s length (figuratively) and never truly trust. 

Larkin - A double crosser and not to be trusted, which is a feeling I had from first meeting him in the book - was this because he was a male character or because he was just generally shady? The jury is out on that still.

The Kendrick family have been making world-famous dolls for over 200 years. But their dolls aren't coveted for the craftsmanship alone. Each one has a specific emotion laid on it by its creator. A magic that can make you feel bucolic bliss or consuming paranoia at a single touch. Though founded by sisters, now only men may know the secrets of the workshop.

Persephone Kendrick longs to break tradition and learn her ancestors' craft, and when a handsome stranger arrives claiming doll-making talent and blood ties to the family, she sees a chance to grasp all she desires.

But then, one night, the firm's most valuable doll is stolen. Only someone with knowledge of magic could have taken her. Only a Kendrick could have committed this crime...

Whilst the synopsis does seem to make the plot revolve around the dolls made by the family (and they are definitely part of the story) they didn’t feel like an integral part - just something that brought the characters together.  It’s more of a crime romance with folklore and magic mixed in and in my opinion it was a perfect mix. 

I didn’t truly guess the perpetrator of the crime (although I had my suspicions) and the whole story was just so beautifully brought together to a satisfying ending.

One for fans of Robert Dinsdale’s The Toymakers, Practical Magic and Erin Morgenstern.

**Review**
The Thief On The Winged Horse by Kate Mascarenhas 
Persephone Kendrick longs to break the tradition of her family’s doll workshop by learning her ancestors' magical craft for herself. Until now, the craft and sorcery have only been allowed by the Kendrick men. When a handsome stranger arrives claiming doll-making talent and blood ties to the family, she sees a chance to grasp all she desires.
This really is a book full of wonderful ideas. I loved the thought of enchanted dolls emitting emotions to those that touch them. The writing is great making for an easy read, that really takes you on a journey through a complex plot. 
Some parts of the book really felt like historical fiction to me, and I had to keep reminding myself it is actually set in more modern times. I am not sure I ever really got used to it having a modern backdrop. I really haven’t read anything quite like it before. 
I loved the two female lead characters, particularly Persephone. She is so strong and determined, striving to get what she wants. All the characters were interesting, but felt I would have liked more backstory about some of them, such as Larkin. 
Do give this a try for a slightly different take on a magical realism read. Thank you to @headofzeus for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Kendrick family have been making dolls for years and each one is given a special gift of an emotion laid on by the male members of the family. Persephone Kendrick has always wanted to be a sorceror and even has the doll making ability but is overlooked for being a girl. A stranger claims ties to the family but when a treasured doll is stolen a hunt begins. 

I wasn't sure if this would be my sort of book as I ike more of a mystery but am branching out my reading horizons so decided to give it a go and I'm glad I did. Its a slow and steady story but has much to keep you reading. I figured out early who had stolen the doll. I liked the descriptive nature of the story and the various emotions placed on the dolls. I cant say any of the characters were instantly likeble but it added a darker depth to the story. The ending was well done and I loved how it brought everything together for a new future. A good read with an element of mystery and magic.

This book enticed me with a promise of magic/magical realism (enchanted dolls, magic spells) and an entangled family saga but failed to deliver on both accounts. Both premises are used just as a decor for a feminist story/love story. In this day and age, a story about girls being denied access to something is growing boring. Especially seen that the story is set in modern day Britain - maybe such a narrative would have worked if based in Asia or Africa or something, but certainly not in Western Europe.
I've given it 2* for a few reasons: the writing which is definitely promising, the fact that features a couple of strong female characters (even if Persephone seems to be a bit of a Cinderella, or maybe better said a Little Mermaid) and especially because we don't have a happy ending. Well we do in a way, but it's definitely a very realistic positive ending, rather than a "happy" one, that I've very much welcomed.

absolutely loved the premise
There is something so unique about Mascarenhas’ stories and this was true for The Thief on the Winged Horse. I find the concept of a family that makes and sells magic dolls so cool. There is an air of whimsy that underlines this story and I quite enjoyed the way magic was interwoven into the narrative. There is a underling fae myth of The Thief on the Winged Horse in here, and I love how the myth sustains the family business, but also how the magic of the dolls feels more tangible and real, while the Thief feels more mythical and undefined. I felt like this allowed the existence of folklore within a world where magic is possible and I quite enjoyed that. I also quite enjoyed the way Masceranhas depicted the workshop and its hierarchy.

exploration of themes of privilege, power and family
The themes explored in this novel were really well done, and in a clever way. I really loved how the magic was depicted in this novel, because it was a metaphor for privilege. The magic of the dolls is limited to the Sorcerers, who are the only people who know how to lay an enchantment on them. And despite the fact that the business was founded by four women, sorcery had become a man’s privilege through time. However, Mascarenhas cleverly depicts how the magic in here is not about ability or any special skill even – it’s purely about privilege and knowledge. She uses sorcery to discuss how people in power hold knowledge hostage and refuse to share it with anyone, and then subsequently talk about skill and talent as if it’s the reason they have power. I really enjoyed that. Moreover, this novel explores themes of family and duty and belonging, and I quite enjoyed the way they were handled. 

the characters were really interesting
The characters were quite interesting in here as well. Especially Larkin. I enjoyed both Persephone and Hedwig and I quite like how different they were but how they were both trying to establish there place in this family’s narrative and to gain respect, but in very different ways. Hedwig is really interesting because she is a morally grey character, who looks after herself first and I really like that. I especially enjoyed Larkin because he is awful, he’s one of those characters I dislike but appreciate their characterization, and I quite enjoyed reading about him. Overall, I found all of the characters to be interesting to read about. Plus, as with Mascarenhas’ first book, there’s a lot of queer rep in here! 

some minor issues
The pacing did not quite work at all times. I did not mind it, but I do think that the book could have been shorter and still had the same impact and told the same story in a more concise way. I also felt like this book had all of these really great elements that were brilliant on there own, but they did not fully come together in a satisfying way at all times. One minor thing as well is that I did not fully get a sense of time with this book. It felt very Victorian at times, but then the mention of a phone would completely throw me off. 

Nonetheless, I still very much enjoyed this story, and found it to be utterly charming and unique, despite these minor issues I had with it.

To Sum Up
Like I said, I found the premise and the themes explored in here really well done, and I had a lot of fun with this novel. It was charming, with a sense of whimsy and it was a really enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend. If you are someone who likes contemporary with a magical twist, and quiet stories that explore larger themes of family and life, I think this book would be perfect for you!

Four sisters have formed in 1820 a company making dolls. But not your usual dolls, oh no, every single one of them has been given an enchantment, a specific feeling that the owner of the doll could feel when picking it up. The so – called sorcery (the laying of the enchantments) is a privilege that only those born in, or married into the Kendrick’s family possess, although now it’s a solely male privilege. 19 – year – old Persephone, a shop assistant, wishes with all her heart to be acknowledged and recognized as a doll maker and sorcerer – but she’s only allowed to work at the shop, processing orders. But then Larkin arrives – a stranger who claims not to be a stranger at all but a long – lost relative and they both start a friendship that could be to both their benefits. However, shortly after his arrival, the family’s most valuable doll, made in memory of one of the founding sisters, Jemima, is stolen. Rumours and suspicions start to spread through the Eyot. Who is the thief? One of their own? Or the legendary Thief on the Winged Horse?

It is not the genre that I usually read but after reading and absolutely, totally enjoying Kate Mascarenha’s debut novel „The Psychology of Time Travel“ I simply couldn’t say no to „The Thief on the Winged Horese“. I had great expectation from this book, that’s true, but I’m also happy to report that the expectations were met! So there.

The author can create brilliant characters, and no matter if you like them or not, you just want to keep reading about them, to get to know them, to see what’s going to happen. They all have colourful personalities – and names as well. Though, because of relatively many of them being introduced to us, I had a feeling they are a bit too superficial and also, because the plot itself was so strong, they dissolved a bit among the vivid and thrilling events. Nevertheless, there is enough information to get those unique figures and their motivations.

Kate Mascarenhas is also great at storytelling and cooking up the most intriguing plots. The whole secrecy and the doll making business were so intriguing and so refreshing and I kept forgetting that the story is set in the modern day Oxford, it was sometimes confusing to be honest because the atmosphere of this story and the whole idea were indicating at older times. There was simply something archaic in the story, I’m not sure what, the atmosphere? The magic? The doll making? The way the characters behaved and talked? Can’t tell you exactly what it was but the moments when they took their mobile phones or travelled by tube were brutally bringing me back to reality.

The ending, though, felt a bit too rushed and hasty for me, which is a shame really, I’d love the story to be folded more neatly. It is also a rather slow – burner, though with the beautiful and captivating writing it didn’t feel like that, and also the author kept her focus on the family’s personal problems, which added so much tension to this book. And, of course, me and my super – duper detective skills, I didn’t guess the thief. What I’d really, really like more is the magical side of things. I mean, they could infuse the dolls with all kinds of emotions, and that’s great. But – why? How come? Why this kind of magic? And why so little of this in the book? It felt a bit like an addition, like an after – thought while in fact the story was built around this magic. I did have a feeling that the subplot with the Thief on the Winged Horse is a little too underdeveloped and the end needed more fireworks, the potential was not capitalized compeltely but on the other hand the way the book was written, the world the author has created and the ability to bring the sense of place and situation is extremelly well.

„The Thief on the Winged Horse“ was a great mix of reality, fantasy and mystery. Very atmospheric and the Thief legend was fascinating. However, the author also touches about very present issues, such as domestic abuse, alcoholism, sexism and feminism, to name only a few. It sometimes gritted with the overwhelming feeling of magic but nevertheless, Kate Mascarenhas has written a refreshing, unique and imaginative story that I enjoyed immensely. Highly recommended!

Oh, but how I loved this novel. I was completely swept away with Kate with The Psychology of Time Travel. She is a incredibly talented writer and so I was so excited to read The Thief on the Winged Horse. It has been sitting on my tbr list for a long time and I have been itching to read it. Oh my goodness, it was so worth the wait. It was wonderful. Kate weaves such a wonderful story. There is that feel of timelessness surrounding her writing. Throughout the novel I felt slightly surprised each time an element of modern life popped up. The tale has such an aged feel to it, like it was a historical novel but of course it is actually set in present day. This feeling I put down to the quality of the writing. It is rich, clever and steeped in the most beautiful use of language.

Kate explores many themes here, and there is an element of fantasy throughout which only adds to the wonderful surrealities of it. Of course if you choose to you can see the underlying nod to feminist issues. It did frustrate me that a company founded by three women could be so heavily influenced by men…but that, I think, is a nod to the reality of life that still surrounds us, no matter how much we feel we have progressed as women.

I am so excited by this author. This novel couldn’t be more different to The Psychology of Time Travel but it is uniquely Kate. It was wonderful and I enjoyed every moment that I spent amongst it’s pages. I thoroughly recommend it but enter it with an open mind and heart and you will escape into a wonderful story that will sweep you away.

A magical story full of sorcery, strong women and folklore. The writing seems as if it's historical fiction but is actually set in modern times, but I loved it all the more for the feelings of the past it gave me.
Persephone is a wonderful lead character; flawed and complex, her desire to be a sorcerer in the family business, previously only allowed to male relations, burns so strongly, it changes all who touch her.
I loved the descriptive details of  the doll and doll house making, and felt the magic involved in the feelings associated with each doll was so real and emotional.
A must read for all those who love magic.

The Thief on the Winged Horse is a contemporary fantasy novel set in a subtly different world where magic applies only to the emotions engendered by mysterious antique dolls. I had read and adored The Psychology of Time Travel last year, so was happy to receive an ARC of this at the start of the year. Strangely, I then didn’t feel any great rush to read it, partly because my limited interest in fantasy tends more towards time travel and superpowers than magic and monsters, and in part because of the publisher’s request to hold reviews until a week before publication. Once I did finally start it, I found it easy to put aside - even towards the end - and while I don’t regret reading it, at best I can say I liked it for its originality but was disappointed by the plot and characters.

Kendricks’ is a world famous doll-making company based on a small island in a river in Oxford. Originally founded by four sisters two hundred years earlier, who discovered the magic needed to imbue each doll with an emotion transmitted by touch, the business has passed on down the family and only descendants or their spouses may work there and know the secret - and only men are now allowed to become Sorcerors - those who create the valuable antique style dolls. When an attractive stranger arrives claiming to be a long lost relative, and is allowed a position because of his skill but more importantly his gender, frustrated Sorcerer Persephone, whose talents are wasted in the shop, is both jealous of and drawn to him, and sees him as the key to her ambitions, but then the most valuable doll of all goes missing: is the mysterious Thief - family mascot and legend - responsible, or did one of the family betray their own?

Mascarenhas is a talented writer who creates unique worlds - just slightly different to our own - then explores the implications of the fantastical elements on society - especially gender politics. 
.“Life experience doesn’t matter,” he said. “You just have to know what the expected tropes and symbols of a story are, and comply with or subvert them.”  
In TPOTT the women were in charge, which I enjoyed, whereas here they have allowed the patriarchy to persist because of fear and tradition.
 “She had brought with her a Frozen Charlotte, the little bridal doll enchanted with Selflessness. More men would benefit from a Selflessness enchantment, she believed.”
The two central female characters, Persephone and Hedwig, are both bitter and resentful of their lot, which is understandable but their underhanded scheming makes them difficult to like - they were also so similar that I had to keep checking who was in play. Larkin was interesting but “off” from the start, I felt we missed enough backstory to really understand his motivations, and Conrad and Briar were just awful. I was expecting more of a surprise from the reveal of the mystery, and then felt the ending was a bit rushed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review.

I think this book will have something for every type of reader. It was a really interesting, wholesome read. I loved the writing, the story and the characters. If you like the blurb, you won't be disappointed.
Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

This book may be fantasy, rather than science fiction, but there were a couple of aspects of the writing that I recognised in common with The Psychology of Time Travel. The main protagonists were women and they weren’t innately likeable. However, that didn’t stop me bonding with both Hazel and, in particular, Persephone. Mostly because she has had a very raw deal.

Ironically, although the founders of the Kendricks famous doll-making business were all women, these days it is the men who get to be Sorcerers and take the key roles for themselves. Persephone is convinced that she is destined to become a doll-maker – including adding the vital magical ingredient that is denied all the women now working within the business, no matter how talented they are. However, she is only permitted to work in the shop and when she isn’t, it is taken for granted by the rest of the Family that she will, somehow, keep her embittered and drunken father, Briar, in check. The gamechanger is the sudden appearance of a handsome stranger, who claims to be the long-lost descendant of the sister who was thought to have died in childbirth.

Larkin is taken on, though treated with great suspicion by the current CEO of Kendricks, and is expected to work on more mundane tasks while he proves his worth. I love the accumulation of incidents and details – until a certain event crashes across this small, close-knit community with the force of a grenade. I was thoroughly caught up by the fallout and stayed up far too late to discover what happened next – and no… Whatever else this book is, it isn’t remotely predictable.

I loved the passion and ambition exhibited by the two main female protagonists. Persephone is socially awkward – the last person you’d want to be the face of Kendricks – but she is tenacious, clever and doggedly persistent. All the characters in this intriguing, different story ping off the page with their almost Dickensian vividness. I’m going to remember this one for a very long time – an accomplished story which went in an unexpected direction and took me to a surprising ending, that nonetheless was very satisfying. Highly recommended for fans of unusual fantasy tales in a contemporary setting. While I obtained an arc of The Thief on the Winged Horse from Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

That cover caught my attention as soon as I saw it, and once I read the synopsis I knew I had to read this! (It was only after that I realised this is by the same author as The Psychology of Time Travel)

First up the setting. This has a wonderful, slightly Gothic atmosphere to it that makes it feel almost like a historical setting (it’s not though, it’s set in the modern day). The small town vibes added to that slightly eery tone, although in this case rather than everyone simply knowing each others business, they’re literally all related to each other. That gave us the perfect setting for this mystery, and the hints of magic along with the legend of the thief on the winged horse really came together to deliver a rich atmosphere.

Persephone Kendrick is a wonderful main character. Despite the patriarchal system that gave the men of the family all the power, she was still determined to become a doll maker and follow her dream.

As well as this Persephone is working through problems within her house. After her mother left, she has been left to deal with her alcoholic father by herself.

Overall I really enjoyed this read. I’ll definitely be looking out for future books by Kate Mascarenhas!

Change has been on my mind this week. We can easily accept unnatural situations as normal despite how that puts some segments of our world down but eventually something can upset that situation. Those moments can be unpredictable and transformative. In Kate Mascarenhas’ intriguing The Thief on the Winged Horse we get a strange magical situation in miniature where tradition, family secrets and a desire for change bring down the status quo.

From the first page you’ll notice a small hint that this book is a world that isn’t quite our own. It outlines the family history of Kendricks Workshop that we are told sells magic dolls and amongst the family members we have a Head Sorcerer. In the 19th century four sisters in Oxfordshire created a workshop and became famous for selling dolls that offered charms – intense feelings of emption you experience once you touch them – courage, fear, delirium. Perhaps not quite what everyone would give their children, but they became highly prized – in the wars many young men would get a courage doll, so they are these days highly valuable pieces of merchandise that many would love to have secrets of. Now the firm is run by men and all it’s sorcerers are men – that’s just based on merit of course. Women are valuable to the running of the firm just not in charge or handling the magic.

This all changes when we get a strange interloper Larkin arriving out of nowhere claiming to be a lost family descendent and wanting to start learning the art of dollmaking. This puts him in the orbit of two women Persephone and Hedwig. Persephone is the daughter of the black sheep of the family Briar, a violent drunk, yet she stays resolute on the island and hungers desperately to learn the magical side of the business and is gently but firmly refused by the management. Hedwig works for the current owner of the business but in the role of housekeeper which as well as petty cleaning also looks at accounting, investments and she desperately wants more but Cedric the business owner politely tolerates her ideas to a point – his love of tradition means she can’t really go much further too in the family firm and her role is based on her boss deciding to tolerate her. But Larkin’s arrival leads to conflict, relationships and a theft that upsets the dynamics that run this firm and potentially suggest a family myth based around the fae has been awakened.

What I loved about this novel is that strangely appropriate for a tale of dolls it looks at the world in miniature. We have this strange cut-off community that lives on a small island and is primarily all related working on one key industry. It has a feel of quaintness with an old-fashioned till and store and everything Kendricks make is handmade. But look closely and Mascarenhas shows us a small c conservative mindset – women are very firmly in their place; heterosexuality is encouraged and domestic violence while disproved of may lead to a blind eye rather than condemnation. As many characters note a business that started with four women is now a distinctly male governed world. In some ways this may feel old-fashioned to our eyes but women’s ideas being openly taken over by men and glass ceilings in companies are not yet consigned to our history either.

To make this tale come alive we have this triumvirate of three characters. Persephone, Hedwig, and Larkin who decide to take the situations that follow their arrival on the island. Hedwig at 19 is wonderfully ready to do a lot more I the world bright, a tad ruthless and yet trapped as a housekeeper and committed to a parent that gambles money away. Persephone is a woman who saw the breakup of her family caused by her father Briar’s alcoholism and she was never allowed to learn any skills despite some natural talent towards making dolls. She could easily have a quitter and less disruptive life away from the island but stays fixed on her goal even if this means she can’t really find any relationships (or admit openly to her bisexuality). Finally we get the mysterious Larkin – who knows the family history; is very skilled already and is secretive about his own past. We know he has an agenda but not sure if it is revenge for a family slight or something more mercenary, Hedwig can see his slightly duplicitous nature can aid a scheme to possibly make her rich enough to get a life of her own while Persephone sees someone who can help her improve her craft and explore magic. Larin sees in both opportunities for his own ends. These relationships are for me the hook of the novel as you want to find out how their schemes will finally change things.

I loved the dynamics of the relationships in the novel. Very much focused on the subtext of what people do and say rather than what they may openly tell each other. Hedwig’s ideas are criminally minded but considering how she has been dismissed you may end up admiring rather than disproving while with Persephone what appears devotion to the family firm becomes more a case of a woman who wants to prove that she herself has value and skill. Which may inspire more to follow suit. This is a tale of intrigue, secrets and family rivalries that have created a toxic world that is about to finally shift and the changes to come will be marked.

The last element that pulls you in is the atmosphere that Mascarenhas creates. Its primarily a world like ours but the magic of the dolls is linked to a tale of a strange character known as the The Thief who appears often to cause trouble for the family and has a focus on certain women. Its never quite clear if The Thief is an actual fae power linked to the power or perhaps a family myth used to explain women who don’t follow the rules. It makes the tale feel unworldly and just perhaps Hedwig and Persephone have a hidden ally. Another piece of intrigue to pick apart as the story unfurls.

This is a very accomplished piece of contemporary fantasy exploring sexism and a desire to be more than what the world tells you to be. I was wowed by Mascarenhas’ previous novel The Psychology of Time Travel and again we get a tale of innovative worlds, strong characters in orbit around each other and some sharp and perceptive explorations of our own world. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Head of Zeus for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Thief on the Winged Horse’ by Kate Mascarenhas in exchange for an honest review.

Since 1820 the Kendrick family have been making their world-famous dolls in Oxford on a small river island named Paxton’s Eyot. These dolls are coveted as each one is enchanted with a specific emotion that is transmitted by touch. Although the company was founded by four sisters and only their descendants are permitted to work for them, only men are granted the title of Sorcerer and allowed to know the secrets of the workshop.

The novel’s protagonist is Persephone Kendrick, who longs to break tradition and learn her ancestors' craft. Then Larkin, a handsome stranger, arrives claiming both doll-making talent and blood ties to the family.  Persephone sees in Larkin an opportunity to obtain all she desires.

During an elaborate party the firm's most valuable doll, the Paid Mourner, is stolen. It is clear that only someone with knowledge of the Kendrick magic could have taken her. Suspicion falls on various family members, including Persephone’s drunkard father. 

Kate Mascarenhas’ debut, ‘The Psychology of Time Travel’, was science fiction with a strong feminist theme. This second novel is also feminist and incorporates elements of magic and folklore. The thief of the title is believed to be one of the faerie folk, who granted the secret of enchantment to the sisters. Like Susanna Clarke’s Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair, the Thief’s influence is felt throughout the novel. 

As noted in the synopsis, there is also the mystery of the stolen doll. Was their patron Thief involved in the theft or is there a more mundane explanation?

The narrative point of view moves between Persephone, Larkin, and Hedwig, who serves as housekeeper for Persephone’s uncle, Conrad. Despite the fantastical elements this is also a family drama that explores the complex relationships within this insular extended family.

One slight issue I had was that while the novel is set in 2020, every time a mobile phone or the like was mentioned it felt slightly odd, especially given the degree of male domination within the family. Certainly there are communities that embrace such archaic values; it was just a little unexpected in Oxford. 

Throughout Kate Mascarenhas’ writing was excellent and I found it an engaging tale with strong, well-rounded characters. 

Basically I loved it!